SHEEPFOLD PARABLES: THE THIEF
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Sheepfold Parables
a) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Thief
John 10:1-2, 8, 10, 28
10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.
8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
a) The thief comes to steal the sheep. Jesus calls the stranger "a thief and a robber". There were such thieves and robbers before Jesus came. He predicted that there would continue to be thieves and robbers after his departure. "Many false prophets will arise and mislead many" (Matthew 24:11). Thieves do not have the welfare of the sheep in mind. They come only "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy". But Jesus came to give abundant life to the sheep. Only he can "give eternal life to them" the thief brings nothing but death.
The End ...
1. Sheepfold Parablesa) The Sheepfold Parables in John chapter 10 contrast the Shepherd first to a stranger, then to a thief, and lastly to a hireling, and show how we must ensure that we follow him and not them.
b) John chapter ten contains parables that liken the kingdom of God to a sheepfold. Christ is the Shepherd, and the sheep hear his voice. He is also the door (or gate) of the sheepfold, and only through him can one enter God’s kingdom. It is a great mistake to follow any other shepherd or try to enter heaven by any other gate.
c) What is a Sheepfold?
i) A “Sheepfold” is a secure walled enclosure in which sheep are penned when not out to pasture in care of the shepherd. The sheepfold might be a permanent barn-like enclosure for shelter, an outdoor holding pen with stone walls, or a makeshift barricade of briars and crisscrossed pointed sticks. A single narrow opening was provided for entry and exit. If there was no secure door or gate, a keeper would guard the entrance or at night sleep across it. The purpose of the sheepfold was to keep the flock together, keep out wolves or dogs, and to make it difficult for thieves or vandals to steal or harm the sheep. A flock of sheep is a very valuable but vulnerable asset. A good shepherd knows and loves his sheep and guards them with his life against all predators. He keeps his flock together and fetches back any sheep that stray. A sheepfold was necessary for the protection of the flock.
2. The Thief
John 10:1-2, 8, 10, 28
10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.
8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
a) The thief comes to steal the sheep. Jesus calls the stranger "a thief and a robber". There were such thieves and robbers before Jesus came. He predicted that there would continue to be thieves and robbers after his departure. "Many false prophets will arise and mislead many" (Matthew 24:11). Thieves do not have the welfare of the sheep in mind. They come only "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy". But Jesus came to give abundant life to the sheep. Only he can "give eternal life to them" the thief brings nothing but death.
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